Reactions of platinum(II) complexes with sulfur- and histidine-containing peptides: a model for selective platination of peptides and proteins

The reactions between two monofunctional platinum complexes [Pt(Me₄dien)Cl]⁺ (Me₄dien = 1,1,7,7-tetramethyl-diethylenetriamine) and [Pt(Et₄dien)Cl]⁺ (Et₄dien = 1,1,7,7-tetraethyldiethylenetriamine) and the peptides, N-acetylated L-methionyl-L-histidine (MeCO–Met–His) and glutathione (GSH), have been investigated by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy and u.v.–vis. spectrophotometry. The reactions of the platinum(II) complexes with MeCO–Met–His were carried out at room temperature and at pH 3.0 and 7.0, whereas with GSH the reactions were studied only at pH 3.0. No binding of these two platinum complexes to the sulfur atom of methionine or to nitrogen atoms of histidine residue of MeCO–Met–His was observed during the first 24 h. When the reaction was followed further, after 24 h very slow binding of [Pt(Me₄dien)Cl]⁺ to the N3 nitrogen atom of imidazole was observed. Both platinum complexes react with the sulfur atom of the cysteine residue in GSH. Kinetic data show that GSH reacts twice as fast with [Pt(Me₄dien)Cl]⁺ than with [Pt(Et₄dien)Cl]⁺. Our findings indicate that sterically crowded platinum(II) complexes are only capable of reacting with the sulfhydryl group of the cysteine residue. This influences the design of new platinum(II) complexes for selective covalent modification of peptides and proteins.     

Interaction of Methyl Cysteine and Nitrilotriacetate with Transition Metal Ions

In the present work, sulfur-containing amino acid methyl cysteine was studied from the point of view of their coordinating ability with two metal ions, viz. copper(II) and cobalt(II). Solution equilibria of binary (Cu(II)/Co(II)–methyl cysteine and Cu(II)/Co(II)–nitrilotriacetate (NTA)) complex systems are investigated by paper ionophoresis at 35°C, ionic strength I= 0.1 mol/l. In addition to binary complexes, ternary complexes involving nitrilotriacetate and methyl cysteine were also studied. For studying mixed-ligand complexes, the pH of background electrolyte is brought to 8.5 (this pH value is purposely chosen because amino acid and NTA form very stable complexes much ahead of this pH). The stability constants of complexes (Cu(II)–NTA–methyl cysteine and Co(II)–NTA–methyl cysteine) were found to be 4.48 ± 0.07 and 3.55 ± 0.04 (logKvalues), respectively.     

A Highly Sensitive and Selective Assay for Cysteine Using the Chemiluminescence Reaction of Luminol and Hydrogen Peroxide

A very simple, highly sensitive and selective chemiluminescence (CL) method was established for the determination of cysteine. This method is based on the fact that the CL reaction of luminol and hydrogen peroxide can be greatly enhanced by cysteine. The CL intensities at maximum light emission were linearly correlated with the concentration of cysteine over the range of 2.0×10^–8–6.0×10^–6molL^–1 with a detection limit of 7.5×10^–9molL^–1. The relative standard deviation was 1.7% for the determination of 1.0×10^–7molL^–1 cysteine (n=9). The feasibility of utilizing the proposed method for the determination of total concentration of cysteine in human serum was examined.     

A kinetic method for the determination of zinc(II) in presence of a large excess of cadmium(II) by the different dissociation rate of their complexes with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine

Summary Acid-dissociation reaction of the cadmium(II) complex of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphme (H₂tspp) proceeds about 10¹² times as fast as that of the zinc(II) complex. This provides the basis for a kinetic determination of zinc(II) in presence of a large excess of cadmium (II). The absorbance at soret-band (421 nm) of Zn(II)(tspp) was used to monitor the reaction. At 5.0×10^–2 M hydrogen ion concentration, Cd(II)(tspp) dissociates completely to Cd²⁺ in 1 s and only the reaction associated with Zn(II)(tspp) is observed during the reaction time from 30 s to 5 min. Zinc(II) concentration <10^–6 M is determined in the presence of 10^–2 M cadmium(II). The molar absorption coefficient is 2.7×10⁵ M ^–1 cm^–1. Iron(III), aluminum(III) and cobalt(II) being masked sodium tartrate, this method is highly selective and is free from interferences of most substances usually encountered. The method was applied to determine zinc(II) in tap water and in cadmium(II) sulfate.     

Kinetics and mechanism of ligand interchange in the [RuIII(edta)L] complexes; L=Cysteine and related thiolates

Complexes of the [RuIII(edta)SR]n series, with SR–= deprotonated cysteine, N- acetylcysteine, 2–mercaptoethanol, glutathione and penicilamine, were prepared from [Ru(edta)H2O]– and the corresponding RSH thiols, at pH=5.5. The complexes exhibit intense visible absorption bands at ca. 520nm (3500M–1 cm–1), associated with LMCT from the sulfur ligands bound to RuIII. The kinetics of the formation reactions were first order in [RuIII(edta)H2O]– and thiol reactants, with k1 values ca. 1–5×102 M–1s–1 (25°C) for all the sulfur ligands except penicilamine, which reacted slower by a factor of 10. Activation parameters suggest an associative mechanism, as for the coordination of other S- and N-bound ligands to [RuIII(edta)H2O]–. A reactivity decrease is apparent at low and high pH's (ranges 1–3 and 8–10, respectively), associated with acid-base equilibria involving the less reactive [RuIII(Hedta)H2O] and [RuIII(edta)OH]2– species. A significant rate increase was found for cysteine and penicilamine at ca. pH=8.0, because the thiol reactants deprotonate. The equilibrium constants for all the ligands showed that robust complexes were formed, with K=ca. 1×105 M–1 (25°C). The dissociation rate constants, k–1, were in the 10–3–10–4 s–1 range. The influence of nucleophilic and steric effects increasing and decreasing the formation rates, respectively, is discussed for the thiolate ligands, with adequate comparisons with other L species bound to [RuIII(edta)H2O]–.     

Combined computational and crystallographic study of the oxidised states of [NiFe] hydrogenase

[NiFe] hydrogenases catalyse the reaction H₂↔2H⁺+2e⁻. Several states of the enzyme have been observed by spectroscopic methods. Among these, the two most oxidized states, called the unready Ni–A and Ni–SU states, have been especially intriguing, because they take a much longer time to activate than the corresponding ready Ni–B and Ni–SI states. It has recently been suggested that the unready states actually contain a (hydro)peroxide bridge between the Ni and Fe ions, in contrast to the hydroxide bridge in the ready states. In this paper, we use quantum refinement (crystallographic refinement, in which the molecular mechanics [MM] calculations, normally employed to supplement the crystallographic data, are replace by more accurate quantum mechanics [QM] calculations), combined QM/MM calculations, and accurate energy estimates to study the nature of a recent oxidised crystal structure of [NiFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio fructosovorans. We show that the structure contains a mixture of several states in the active site. The experimental data is best explained by structures with a hydroxide bridge but with two of the cysteine ligands (one bridging and one terminal) partly oxidised. When the terminal Cys-543 ligand is oxidised, the sulphur occupies an alternative position, observed in several crystal structures. The Glu-25 residue, that forms a hydrogen bond to this sulphur, also changes position. A peroxide ligand may exist as a minor component in the crystal and the suggested structure is supported by the calculations. We suggest that oxidised states are slow-equilibrium mixtures of structures with a peroxide bound and structures with oxidised Cys residues, and that the former can be activated by replacement of the protonated peroxide with a H₂ or CO ligand, as has been observed in electrochemical experiments.     

Identification of redox sensitive thiols of protein disulfide isomerase using isotope coded affinity technology and mass spectrometry

Regulation of the redox state of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is critical for its various catalytic functions. Here we describe a procedure utilizing isotope-coded affinity tag (ICAT) technology and mass spectrometry that quantitates relative changes in the dynamic thiol and disulfide states of human PDI. Human PDI contains six cysteine residues, four present in two active sites within the a and a' domains, and two present in the b' domain. ICAT labeling of human PDI indicates a difference between the redox state of the two active sites. Furthermore, under auto-oxidation conditions an approximately 80% decrease in available thiols within the a domain was detected. Surprisingly, the redox state of one of the two cysteines, Cys-295, within the b' domain was altered between the fully reduced and the auto-oxidized state of PDI while the other b' domain cysteine remained fully reduced. An interesting mono- and dioxidation modification of an invariable tryptophan residue, Trp-35, within the active site was also mapped by tandem mass spectrometry. Our findings indicate that ICAT methodology in conjunction with mass spectrometry represents a powerful tool to monitor changes in the redox state of individual cysteine residues within PDI under various conditions.     

Selective amperometric titration of molybdenum with oxine in presence of DCTA

Summary In presence of DCTA molybdenum is selectively precipitated with oxine. The precipitation may be utilized for a volumetric determination with amperometric end-point detection. The influence of the ions which usually accompany molybdenum was established from the values obtained for the conditional solubility products of their oxinates. The behaviour of Cu(II), Fe(III), W(VI) and Al(III) was studied experimentally. It is shown, that Cu, Fe and W are completely masked by DCTA, Al was masked with NH₄F.Correct results are obtained with Mo concentrations in the initial solution >1×10^–5 and 1sx10^–3 M. The standard deviation of the method amounts to ±0.02 mg, while the relative (%) standard deviation varies within 0.2 to 2.0.

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Selektive amperometrische Titration von Molybdän mit Oxin in Gegenwart von DCTA

Zusammenfassung Molybdän(VI) läßt sich mit Oxin in Anwesenheit von DCTA selektiv fällen. Die Reaktion kann zur volumetrischen Bestimmung verwendet werden, wobei der Äquivalenzpunkt amperometrisch ermittelt wird. Der Einfluß von Metallionen wird auf Grund der berechneten relativen Löslichkeitsprodukte der entsprechenden Oxinate geschätzt. Experimentell wurden die Schlußfolgerungen für das Verhalten von Cu(II), Fe(III), W(VI) und Al(III) geprüft. Die ersten drei werden nicht mitgefällt, während Al durch F^–maskiert werden kann. Der Anwendungsbereich der Methode umfaßt Mo(VI)-Konzentrationen >1·10^–5 und 1·10^–3 M. Die Ionen von Cu, Fe, Al und W, sowie diejenigen, welche leichter lösliche Oxinate bilden, stören nicht. Die Reproduzierbarkeit wird durch eine Standardabweichung von ±0,02 mg bzw. eine relative (%) Standardabweichung von 0,2–2,0 charakterisiert.

     

Cerium-mediated Free Radicals in Contractile Proteins. EPR and DSC study

The effect of free radicals obtained in hydroxyl and cerium(IV)-nitrilotriacetic acid free radical generating systems on contractile proteins (actin, myosin and their complexes in glycerinated muscle fibres) was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and spin trapping electron paramagnetic resonance technique. The analysis of spectra showed that selective attack of thiol groups – Cys-257 and Cys-374 residues of actin, and among others Cys-707 residue of myosin – and random attack of sidechains of the main proteins of muscle tissue produced structural and functional changes, which affected the ATP hydrolysis cycle and very likely the dynamics of actin. The melting curves obtained on protein systems support the view that global conformational changes accompany the local damage of free radicals. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of cysteinylation of pharmaceutical-grade human serum albumin by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and low-energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry

Three samples of albumin derived from human plasma (pharmaceutical grade, HSA) obtained from different commercial sources were investigated for their micro-heterogeneities by means of electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS). The study covered MS analyses of the intact proteins as well as on the tryptic peptide level. The intact protein samples were analyzed without any separation step except for simple desalting. With these samples we observed in the positive ion ESI mass spectra that the multiply charged ion signals of HSA consisted of a number of fully or partly resolved peaks with relative intensities depending on the analyzed sample. The non-modified form of HSA was detected in the three HSA preparations at m/z values of 66448 +/- 3.6, 66450 +/- 0.6 and 66451 +/- 3.2 ([MH]+), respectively. The value calculated from the amino acid sequence was 66439. The second compound present with high intensity (in two cases the base peak in the deconvoluted mass spectrum) is interpreted as a modified HSA, and the molecular mass increase in relation to the unmodified HAS was between 116 and 118 Da (m/z of 66 564, 66 567 and 66 569), suggesting the presence of a covalently bound cysteine residue. A further peak in the deconvoluted ESI spectra was found in all three samples with rather low signal/noise ratio at m/z 66 619, 66 621 and 66 613, respectively, which may correspond to a non-enzymatic glycation described in the literature. The verification of the proposed covalent HSA modifications was subsequently done on the peptide level using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/ESI-MS and HPLC/ESI-MS/MS including low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID). Prior to the tryptic digestion, the HSA samples were alkylated without a prior reduction step. Following this procedure we detected peptides of the sequence T21-41 that included the Cys-34 residue in both forms: cysteinylated (m/z 639.15 [M+4H]4+) as well as vinylpyridine-alkylated (m/z 635.69 [M+4H]4+, which means in its previously native free SH form). In the next step on-line LC/ESI low-energy CID MS/MS experiments were performed to verify these two proposed structures. By means of MS/MS analysis of the mentioned ions the described modification (cysteinylation) at the Cys-34 residue could be proven. This abundant modification of HSA in pharmaceutical-grade preparations could be unambiguously identified as cysteinylation at the Cys-34 residue. On the other hand, the proposed non-enzymatic glycation was not detectable on the peptide level in the on-line HPLC/ESI-MS mode, maybe due to the low concentration in the three samples under investigation.     

Fatty acid composition of the main phospholipids of the Antarctic krill Euphausia superba

The Antarctic krillEuphausia superba Dana contains about 5% of its natural weight of extractable lipids, more than half of which are in the form of phospholipids — phosphatidylcholine (33–36% of the sum of the lipids), phosphatidylethanolamine (15–17%), lysophosphatidylcholine (3–4%), and others (2–3%) — while among the phosphorus-free components triacylglycerols predominate (32–35%). In the first two phospholipids the dominating fatty acid residue is the arachidonic acid residue (more than 40% of the sum of the acyl residues) and the amounts of residues of eicosapentaenoic acid (C_{20 : 5w3}) are about 13 and 28%, respectively. A simple procedure for isolating the phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine is proposed. For the analysis of the fatty acid a new method was used, consisting of the HPLC of their (7-diethylaminocoumarin-4-yl)hydrazides, with fluorometric detection.Scientific Research Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances of Hydrobionts, USSR Ministry of Health, Moscow. K. A. Timiryazev Moscow Agricultural Academy. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 181–187, March–April, 1990.     

A synthetic camel anti-lysozyme peptide antibody (peptibody) with flexible loop structure identified by high-resolution affinity mass spectrometry

We describe the synthesis and characterisation of the fully functional molecular recognition structure of a 26-amino acid residue peptide antibody, referred to as peptibody, designed from a monoclonal single-domain antibody fragment derived from a camel heavy-chain antibody. The CDR3 region (CDR = complementarity determining region) of the cAbLys3 camel antibody fragment, which binds to the active site of hen eggwhite lysozyme (HEL) and acts as a potent enzyme inhibitor by mimicking an oligosaccharide substrate, was prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis. To obtain a closed loop-like structure resembling that in the crystal structure, N- and C-terminal cysteine residues were added to the linear peptide and oxidised to a cyclic disulfide-bridged peptide by using dimethylsulfoxide. A further, internal cysteine-12 residue was acetamidomethyl-protected to prevent possible oxidative byproducts. Affinity separation on a lysozyme microcolumn combined with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry revealed that the peptide resumed high affinity to lysozyme only after deprotection of Cys-12, suggesting the importance of this paratope sequence for epitope recognition. The complex of lysozyme and active peptibody was characterised directly by conducting high-resolution ESI-FTICR mass spectrometry, which provided a molecular comparison of affinities for linear and cyclic peptibodies.     

Synthesis of the C-terminal hexa- and heptapeptide sequences of oxytocin

Three schemes for the synthesis of the heptapeptide 3–9 of the oxytocin sequence with different protective groups of the thiol function of the cysteine and the use of two main methods of condensation (the activated-ester method and the mixed-anhydride method) are considered.All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of the Technology of Blood Substitutes and Hormone Preparations, Moscow. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 114–121, January–February, 1993.     

Synthesis of 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosides of isoflavones and their heterocyclic analogues

The products of the interaction of -acetobromoglucose with 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl benzyl ketone and 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl 4-hydroxybenzyl ketone and also with their heterocyclic analogues, which are present completely or partially in the enolic form, have been investigated. It has been shown that in this reaction a tetra-O-acetylglucosyl residue is added at the 4-OH hydroxy group of the phenyl residue of the ketone. The compounds obtained have been converted into isoflavone 7-O-glucosides by the action of the vilsmeier reagent or acetoformic anhydride.Taras Shevchenko Kiev University. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 220–227, March–April, 1993.     

Novel Potentiometric Sensor for Determination of Cysteine Based on Substituted Poly(diphenylporphyrins and Metalloporphyrins

This paper describes the application of an electropolymerized film of poly(bis(2-aminophenyl)-2,8,12,18-tetraethyl-3,7,13, 17-tetramethylporphyrin) and its metalloderivative for determination of amino acids. A remarkable selectivity for cysteine (log K _{Cys/Amino acids} ^pot = 10^–2–10^–3) has been found. The potentiometric response to sulfur-containing amino acids is discussed and compared with selectivity data for PVC-membranes based on metallotetraphenylporphyrins.     

Preparation of solid surfaces for native chemical ligation in the quartz crystal microbalance

The preparation of a nonporous solid surface for native chemical ligation is described. A cysteine residue is covalently attached to the surface by means of a series of reactions. In a reaction analogous to that used for native chemical ligation, the surface‐attached cysteine residue reacts with a thioester to form an amide linkage. All of the reaction steps except the derivatization of the nonporous solid surface with amino‐ended silane are conducted within the flow cell of a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. This sensitive instrument allows each reaction step to be followed in real time, with simultaneous quantification of the mass added and removed in different steps. The number of protected cysteine residues attached per square nanometer is consistent with the number of protecting groups removed in each deprotection step and also with the number of thioesters reacting with the deprotected cysteine. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of the cystine and cysteine contents of proteins with the aid of an amino acid analyzer

A method is proposed which permits the determination of the amounts of cystine an cysteine in the form pf systeic acid in various proteins of animal and plant origin — even in those in which, on the analysis of standard hydrolysates, the peaks of cysteine are not detected because of their low concentration.Institute of Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Tadzhik SSR, Dushanbe. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 551–554, July–August, 1985.     

Inhibition of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in vitro and in vivo

Lipid peroxidation is a cellular process that takes place under physiological conditions and particularly after oxidative stress. 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a major end product of lipid peroxidation, is known to exert a multitude of biological effects and has high reactivity to various cellular components, including DNA and protein. The thioredoxin system, composed of the selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), thioredoxin (Trx), and NADPH, plays a key role in redox regulation and is involved in many signaling pathways. The selenocysteine (Sec) and cysteine (Cys) residues (Cys-496/Sec-497) in the active site of TrxR and a pair of Cys residues (Cys-32/Cys-35) in Trx are sensitive to various alkylating reagents. Herein, we report a mechanistic study on the inhibition of rat TrxR by HNE. The inhibition occurs with TrxR only in its reduced form and persists after removal of HNE. Inhibition of TrxR by HNE added to cultured HeLa cells is also observed. In addition, HNE inactivates reduced Escherichia coli Trx irreversibly. We proved that the redox residues (Cys-496/Sec-497 in TrxR and Cys-32/Cys-35 in Trx) were primary targets for HNE modification. The covalent adducts formed between HNE and Trx were also confirmed by mass spectrum. Because the thioredoxin system is one of the core regulation enzymes of cells' function, inhibition of both TrxR and Trx by HNE provides a possibly novel mechanism for explanation of its cytotoxic effect and signaling activity, as well as the further damage indirectly caused under oxidative stress conditions.     

Catalytic coprocessing of waste plastics and petroleum residue into liquid fuel oils

Waste plastics of different types were catalytically coprocessed with petroleum residue of light Arabian crude oil in the presence of a number of catalysts. The purpose of the study was to explore effects of various conditions such as catalyst type, amount of catalyst, reaction time, pressure and temperature on the product distribution. The waste plastic studied included low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP). A series of single (waster plastic with catalyst) and binary (waste plastic and residue with catalyst) reactions were carried out in an autoclave reactor under variable reaction conditions. The reaction conditions used were 1, 3 and 5 wt.% catalysts, 30–120 min reaction time, 400–430 °C reaction temperature and 500–1200 psi hydrogen pressure. The product distribution achieved for residue/plastic/catalyst system showed higher yields of liquid fuels as compared to residue/plastic system. Hydrocarbon gases were formed as well along with heavy oils, insoluble gums and coke. At the reaction conditions of 3 wt.% NiMo catalyst, 90 min reaction time, 1200 psi hydrogen gas pressure, 430 °C temperature and residue to plastic feed ratio of 3:2 (wt.) afforded maximum conversion of the plastics into liquid fuel oils.